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As a hospital pharmacist at Toronto General, Sandra Porter loves the fact she's in a job that's as much about people as it is science.

Porter graduated with her bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Toronto after getting a biochemistry degree at Carleton University in Ottawa. "I found out that although I loved the lab side of things, there wasn't a lot of personal interaction. So I started looking at options, and pharmacy came up."

For Porter, the job combines the best of her talents. "My two passions are biochemistry and talking. This lets me do both," she jokes.

Being a good pharmacist is more than having a friendly demeanour. "You have to be strong in sciences and have a good work ethic," Porter says. "One of the most important things is communication skills. You have to talk to doctors and patients, make suggestions to health care teams, and be able to support people in the community."

Becoming a licensed pharmacist may take a wide range of skills, but for those with the inclination, it's a very rewarding career, says Marion Pearson, director of the entry-to-practice program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

There are two programs you can follow to become a pharmacist in Canada: a BSc Pharmacy degree or an entry-level PharmD degree. A BSc Pharmacy takes a total of five years, including first-year level science credits (typically biology, chemistry, math and physics, etc.).

A PharmD degree takes six years and requires two years of science credits, including such specialties as organic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, etc. "What distinguishes the entry-level PharmD is the extra amount of fieldwork within the program," Pearson says.

Upon graduation, students must write a national licensing exam with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, which includes a multiple choice and a practice-based scenario component called OSCE (objective structured clinical examination).

Exams are offered two times a year in locations across Canada, says Pat Fraser, examination co-ordinator for the board in Toronto. "Exams are held in at least one major city in each province where there is a faculty."

Since laws governing the practice can vary from province to province, pharmacists must also write a jurisprudence exam to qualify for their provincial license. Information on provincial requirements can be found on the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities website.

One of the more interesting aspects of the field is the fact that the scope of pharmacy practice is expanding, Pearson says. "Pharmacists are getting increasingly involved in managing drug therapies, ministering injections and even have the authority to prescribe and adjust doses in certain circumstances."

She reports that while a majority of careers are in hospital or retail settings, there are also opportunities within government and the pharmaceutical industries. "In future, we will likely see more establishing themselves as independent practitioners."

Given the demanding nature of the work and the level of responsibility, Pearson says a person must be detail-oriented and able to work with people. "They're often the last line of defence, especially in the retail environment, because they can spot issues with prescribed medications. They also have to have strong communication skills to work with the public and other practitioners. Collaboration is a big part of the job."

Perhaps the most important quality for pharmacists is that they actually have to care about people, she adds. "You are part of health care and a good part of your job is to resolve problems and advocate for people. You must be prepared to make recommendations and back them up."

For Porter, that's all part of what makes her workday. "I get to find ways to help my patients, be it in a bit or a small way, every single day. That is by far the most gratifying part of the profession for me. And that's what puts a smile on my face and gets me through the insane days."

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